Tesla Motors unveiled the electric car Thursday, March 31 night that it hopes will break through to the car-buying masses, USA Today said.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk vowed that the car – the Model 3 – will seat five, hit the highest safety marks and have a range of at least 215 miles a charge.

While its performance won't be the same as its larger sibling, the super-luxury Model S, it will be impressive: Zero to 60 miles per hour in less than 6 seconds, Tesla said.

The Model 3, Musk said, will be priced at $35,000, about half the cost of its two current models, the Model S sedan and Model X crossover. The car is considered critical to Tesla's success, its first attempt to lure average car buyers into the electric-car experience.

The car's profile is similar to the Model S, lacking any adornment on the front where a grille would normally be. Musk says the car has trunks both front and rear. The extra space is due to its lack of a gas engine since it has only batteries and electric motors. Inside, the car has a huge screen on the center console like other Teslas, though it is slightly smaller than on the Model S or X. It is also distinguished by a huge glass roof over both the front and rear seats, which Musk says affords better headroom, according to USA Today.

Musk says Model 3 cars will start delivery to customers in late 2017.